August Newsletter

This will be a backwards newsletter. First I will highlight upcoming events, then report on past events of the month.....just because!

COMING EVENTS:

ANOTHER SUNSET PADDLE...WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31st. LAST ONE!!

SHARBOT LAKE PADDLING ADVENTURESEPTEMBER 9 & 10: Doug Harrison just sent out a detailed email to members with all necessary information. Give this another read and consider signing up. The paddle venue is new and will no doubt provide a unique experience, There is lots of opportunity to mix and laugh with (or at) other club members and you can paddle both Saturday and Sunday, or just one of the days. You can camp or you can bunk in at a country inn. There are so many options! Choose one that works for you and SIGN UP!

THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, Tuesday, September 19, 5:30 p.m.: This year's AGM will be held at the Harbourview Cafe with lots of appetizers provided by the Club, and like previous years, we all buy our own drinks.

But get this!

There will be a draw for a free regular membership for the 2018 paddling season. You have to attend the meeting to be eligible and you have to be there for the draw. Think about it....you just might get lucky!!

BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED: There will be 3 or 4 board members retiring this year, so we will be looking for members to join the Board of Directors and help run the club. If you have an interest here and would like to make a difference then please report your interest to any of our Board members as soon as possible. If numbers warrant then there will be an election at the AGM. Successful candidates will become part of the Board; specific roles and positions will be sorted out at the following meeting.

We do need your help....please think about it!!

APPLEFEST PARADE,Saturday, September 23: Once again we will be entering a float in the Applefest Parade. It will consist of Nakoma (yellow boat to those who are name resistant) perched on the trailer, all dolled up with balloons, the head and tail, the drum (complete with drummer....yet to be selected), and many happy BDBC members walking alongside. The parade's theme is Canada's 150th, and Cathy Hewton is figuring out how we are going to do that. Maybe she'll cook something....mmm....okay, I'm coming for sure!

But we need lots of bodies in order to look like the healthy and vibrant club that we are....Get in touch with Cathy Hewton and get your marching orders!

PAST EVENTS THIS MONTH

COACH AND STEER APPRECIATION BBQ: This past Sunday Mike and Cathy Hewton graciously hosted a BBQ for the coaches, steers and board members who volunteered their time over the season. As usual the discussion ranged from dragon boating.....to dragon boating. It was a merry affair, all were well fed and watered (just an expression) and arrived home safely. Thank you very much Mike and Cathy!!

SUNSET PADDLE AND WATER DAY: Both of these events went very well with approximately 46 members involved in each event. The weather cooperated perfectly for the Sunset Paddle and 2 boat loads of paddlers watched the big red ball drop in the west. A special prize was awarded for the best sunset photo awarded to Charlene Rivais Marcus. Special thanks goes to JL Neilsen for organizing and promoting the event, to Anna-Lisa Barnes and Adrian Nelson for steering, and to Mary Robertson for coaching. It went so well that there will be another opportunity offered this Wednesday, August 31st, so sign up to get a seat!

Mother Nature was not so kind for Water Day, with strong winds making events very challenging. Our gang was up for it, though, and all water and land events were completed by noon so that the serious work of chowing down on hot dogs and hamburgers could begin. An added treat was the 10th Anniversary cake which is prominently displayed on our Home Page. Special thanks go to Mary Linnett for organizing food and to Shirley and Duane Bach for supplying all BBQ equipment and cooking, to Doug Harrison and Barb Michno for steering, to Carolyn Campbell and Mark Penney for being captains, and to Adrian Nelson for delivering special announcements on his unicycle! By the purest of coincidences the competition between the Piranhas and the Crusaders ended in a draw! Go figure!!

HEAT STROKES EARN A SILVER MEDAL IN THE WOODSTOCK REGATTA: On Saturday, August 12, the Heat Strokes competed with 48 other teams in Woodstock Ontario. All teams ran 500m heats and were seeded into six different divisions. The Heat Strokes were seeded in the Platinum Division, which is comprised of the top 8 teams in the regatta. The team ran in the 500m final against 4 other teams and came second by mere hundredths of a second in a very close race. All four boats finished within a very tight 1/2 second window!

Being one of the top eight teams in the regatta, the Heat Strokes also participated in the 2K (two kilometer) race. In the staggered start our team began in 7th place but during the course of the race managed to move up to 5th! 5th out of 48.....pretty awesome for a community team from a small club! Kudos to our awesome coach, Tricia Bhoeme! Go Heat Strokes!!